What is Foursquare Day? Find out in Portsmouth on Saturday

PORTSMOUTH — Foursquare fans will unite Saturday to celebrate the popular social-media tool.

Charles McMahon

PORTSMOUTH — Foursquare fans will unite Saturday to celebrate the popular social-media tool.

Businesses have joined to offer a full day of events, specials and discounts, while citizens have planned various activities and a charity benefit. The gatherings are in honor of Portsmouth Foursquare Day, the local version of a worldwide movement to celebrate the social-media and location-based service called Foursquare.

Foursquare is an application that can be downloaded to smartphones and can also be used on the Web. It allows users to "check in" to restaurants, stores, buildings, etc. that they are visiting. Through the app, businesses are able to connect with, and offer deals or incentives to, residents.

The day was created last year by Tampa, Fla., optometrist Nate Bonilla-Warford. His idea was that since four squared equals 16, it would be great to encourage people to use Foursquare on the fourth month and 16th day of the year. Since then, hundreds of cities around the world celebrate Foursquare Day on April 16.

Mayor Tom Ferrini has proclaimed Saturday as Portsmouth Foursquare Day. "The citizens of Portsmouth and the Seacoast area have demonstrated a devoted use of Foursquare as evidenced by Portsmouth's ranking as the top Foursquare Day location in the world in 2010," according to Ferrini's proclamation. "Foursquare provides local businesses and organizations with the opportunity to connect with Seacoast residents by offering special deals, discounts and other incentives for checking-in at local businesses, thereby encouraging support of the local economy."

Saturday includes a kick-off event at 10:30 a.m. at The River House Restaurant's new function room, which will include a learning session about Foursquare for newcomers and veterans alike. The session is presented by New Hampshire social-media star Leslie Poston. From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Prescott Park, Foursquare fans will have a chance to have fun outdoors at a family-friendly event featuring an old schoolyard game of four square.

Throughout the day, tickets will be sold for the N.H. Roller Derby season opener on Saturday at the Whittemore Center in Durham to benefit The Alisa Alves Fund. The day will wrap up with a celebration at Foobar on Congress Street at 7 p.m. with a free raffle, giveaways from Foursquare and more.

Walter Elly, co-organizer of Portsmouth Foursquare Day, said recent related events on the Seacoast such as a fund-raiser for cancer research raised more than $1,100 in 24 hours.

"Foursquare Day is a day that creates real awareness of the power of Foursquare for individuals and businesses," Elly said. "It drives adoption of Foursquare and as usage increases, the service becomes more useful for everyone."

Sandra Rand, co-organizer of Portsmouth Foursquare Day, said she has been an active user of Foursquare since about a year ago when she was named "mayor" of Redhook Ale Brewery for having the most check-ins. "Enthusiasm for social media and location-based services is high in Portsmouth, and the buzz about Foursquare Day hasn't died down since we were world champions last year," Rand said.

Participating local businesses include Foobar, Celtic Crossing, River House, Samba Salon, The Chef's Table, The Music Hall and Idea Greenhouse Durham, an event sponsor. Promotions include New Hampshire Children's Museum tickets, discounts on merchandise, food and drink specials, free month's membership to Idea Greenhouse Durham and special Foursquare Day items.

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